Antti Niemi

Statistically, the finals have been Niemi’s worst round of the playoffs. But the “Antti-Flyer”—get it?—has made some key saves and still has the Blackhawks one game away from their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years.

Niemi has let up four goals in three consecutive games is overdue for a great game.

Despite only have one game in the finals with a save percentage over .900, Niemi is coming off an incredible series sweep against the San Jose Sharks where he posted a .949 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average.

Niemi’s has been exceptional on the road during the playoffs. He has a .923 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA in 10 playoff road games.

Patrick Sharp

Sharp has been incredibly consistent and, um, sharp this postseason. He has had at least two goals in every series and has goals in three of the five Stanley Cup Final games.

The 28-year-old sniper is also even or better in nine of his last 10 games.

Sharp’s ice-time seems to be his most impressive stat. In a postseason where players have been benched left and right, and on some nights overplayed, Sharp is averaging 17:43 to 18:00 minutes of ice-time for each series.

With two goals and nine shots in his last two games, expect Sharp to be a key component to Game Six.

Chris Pronger

After a career-worst minus-five performance on Sunday night, expect a much different Pronger to show up for Game Six.
Pronger, 35, is proving that like a fine wine, some hockey players just get better with age.
While he has not scored since Game Four against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Pronger is logging some serious minutes on the blue line.
He is averaging just a shade under 30 minutes against the Blackhawks so far—including a 32-minute performance in Philly’s Game Three victory.
As previously mentioned, Pronger is coming off a career-worst minus-five game. There is no way he will allow for a repeat.
Expect a handful of bone-jarring hits and maybe even a goal, to go along with Pronger’s typical defensive play.

Marian Hossa

Hossa has received a lot of half-deserved criticism for his lack of scoring during the playoffs.
Half-deserved because even though he has just one goal in his last 12 games, and just three goals for the entire postseason, his defensive efforts are often underappreciated.
Hossa has been even or better in 12 of Chicago’s last 14 games.
Like Pronger, however, Hossa is coming off a not-so-great defensive effort in Game 5 where he was a minus-three.
A couple of the goals were meaningless, but Hossa will look to rebound with a stronger all-around effort nonetheless.
Chicago is just one win away from breaking the “Hossa hex” and the 31-year-old will do everything in his power in Game Six to make sure he finally gets to raise the Cup.

Ville Leino

Amazing things happen in the playoffs, and Leino is a perfect example of that.
Leino had two points and played in only seven postseason games with the Detroit Red Wings during last year’s Stanley Cup Finals run.
What a difference one season can make.
Leino sat out three games in the first round against the New Jersey Devils, but has been on fire ever since.
The native of Finland has 19 points in 18 games this postseason and is a plus-eight. He also has three goals and seven points against the Blackhawks.
Possibly the most unexpected player to have such a big postseason, Leino is sure to be a factor in helping Philly avoid elimination in Game Six.